I rode the Jitney bus from NYC to the Hamptons for $41. The bathroom didn't have a sink, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of my trip.

I arrived at the Midtown bus stop across from Bloomingdale's 10 minutes ahead of time and boarded at 8:38 a.m. for an 8:40 a.m. departure.

No one was collecting or scanning tickets, which sped up the boarding process. The bus left right on time, showcasing impressive efficiency.

There are multiple Jitney stops in Manhattan, so the bus was already half full when I got on. If you're traveling with someone and want to sit together, I recommend boarding at one of the earlier Uptown stops.

The Jitney buses don't all go to the same place — the eastern shore of Long Island has numerous stops spread out from each other.

Before boarding in Manhattan, it's essential to double-check that you're getting on the correct bus for your final destination.

Since no one checked my ticket, I was a little confused. But I eventually figured out I was getting on the right bus.

The bus had four seats in each row with an aisle down the center.

The seats offered a standard amount of legroom, which sufficed, and there were footrests under the chairs.

You could also lean back, but I think that's the easiest way to ruin someone's day if there's a passenger behind you.

There was an on-board bathroom, but I'd only use it in emergencies.

It was stocked with plenty of toilet paper but didn't have a sink. Hand sanitizer wasn't provided either, so make sure to pack your own.

Contrary to what I'd heard about the Jitney having a young, party vibe, my Friday morning bus ride on Memorial Day weekend had a mix of people and was relatively calm.

With the shades drawn and the AC on, the bus was a pleasant escape from the heat outside.

To keep things quiet, the bus staff also encouraged minimal phone use during the ride.

The WiFi was spotty — I noticed several passengers using their phones as hot spots. If I needed to get a full remote workday in, that's probably the only way I could've done it.

But it was a nice bonus that the bus had outlets to charge phones, laptops, and other electronics during the several-hour drive.

The bus was staffed with a driver and an attendant, who was an excellent resource.

As I departed at the last stop, the attendant checked everyone's tickets. Riders could pay on the bus if needed, but I purchased my ticket ahead of time to save $8 off the total cost.

As we were leaving, the attendant also handed out cold water and a snack, which I thought was a nice touch.

There's nothing super fancy about the Jitney, but it certainly does its job. It took me about three hours and 50 minutes to get to the East Hampton stop from Midtown, but that's pretty much what I expected for Memorial Day weekend.

One significant advantage of the Jitney is the multiple times and bus-stop locations every day. The bus runs every other hour, providing flexibility for travelers.

Although the Long Island Rail Road is also cheap at $20 or $30 a ride, I'd definitely suggest the bus over the crowded and often rowdy train.

Overall, for $41, the Jitney was a surprisingly pleasant and efficient way to travel from Manhattan to the Hamptons.